This story is part of Amy Bell’s story parental guidance Column aired on CBC Radio One early version.
Parenting is one of life’s greatest joys, but it’s also one of life’s most difficult challenges.
It can be a truly heartbreaking time for families when parents are dealing with mental health issues such as postpartum depression or anxiety. I never feel like a failure for society or my family.
Parenting can be monotonous, lonely, and not at all what we expected.
Dr. Michal Regev is a registered psychologist, marriage and family therapist who has worked extensively with people experiencing depression during and after pregnancy, as well as families with mental health issues.
“Alone with a child”
Mothers often struggle to cope with mental health ailments, Regev said.
“Women are three times more likely than men to suffer from depression, anxiety and mental health issues.
“The obvious answer is hormones, and the less obvious answer is our society and the place of women in society.”
Of course, it’s not meant to minimize the mental health issues that every parent or caregiver may face, but the numbers are clear, giving birth or identifying as a woman. People are more likely to face these problems, Regev said, as the support available to parents has been curtailed.
“We lived in large families and large communities, and everyone was looking after children,” Regev said.
“In the current situation, mothers are mostly with their children, and that’s not good for our mental health. should be aware of it.”
It’s hard to admit that you’re struggling
Sera Craigen Ecsy has dealt with her own mental struggles as a single mother to a teenage daughter. Her parenting was influenced by her experiences growing up with her mother, whose mental illness eventually led to her death by suicide, something Craigen Ecsy learned both as a child and through her mother. impacted.
“It gave me insight into what helped and supported me as a child, and how a child can be impacted by a struggling parent. “I’m not saying I’ve ever dealt with it in the best way, but I’m not saying it’s the best way I’ve ever dealt with a child I might be suffering from.” I feel it helped me to know how best to support
Craigen Etsy said she never tried to protect her child from bouts of depression or anxiety. She hopes her daughter will grow up knowing that mental health is a personal priority and that getting help will benefit her entire family.
“It’s hard to accept as a parent [you’re] Craigen Ecsy said:
father’s feelings
Mothers are more likely to be diagnosed with depression and anxiety, while fathers may also be affected by mental health issues as they face social pressures and expectations.
Matt Sheets has dealt with depression for most of his life, but it was rarely discussed and treated properly within his own family. He said it has also disrupted his family and has also affected his four children.
Sheet said he has become a more present-day parent by undergoing therapy and opening up about his emotional health.
He also recognized that one of his sons suffered from depression and was able to help him by sharing his own experience.
“We could recognize the telltale signs. He was isolated and all to himself in the dark,” Sheet said.
He said that by sharing with each other, the two became closer and supported each other.
“When I identified with him and said, ‘Look, I was dealing with this when I was your age. I think just hearing that helped him.'”
check in
There may be embarrassment or embarrassment that prevents parents or caregivers from admitting that they need help.
This means not holding people accountable for reaching out when they are having a hard time. Sometimes it takes more power than they have. So reach out to the parents in your life and really check in. And support them as much as you can.Being a parent can be one of the loneliest times in a person’s life and it’s okay to admit it.
